Diaper Caddy Essentials: 8 Basket Items For Your House or Car

Diaper caddy essentials to the rescue! These are a godsend when you either A. forget/run out of something in your diaper bag, or B. you are downstairs with your baby while the changing table is up UP stairs…

A diaper caddy acts as a diaper changing supply station. It is similar to a diaper bag, but a version that you don’t have to carry around with you. Typically, it’s ideal for it to stay put.

Why use a diaper caddy?

First, it is common to keep some kind of diaper caddy next to your baby changing area at home.

I use a cart that stands next to the baby crib. We currently live in a small apartment, and it seemed unnecessary to invest in a changing table. I simply change my baby in his crib or on the floor, and I keep all my supplies on a cart with wheels (in case I want to wheel it around anywhere).

If you live in a house with multiple stories, keeping a diaper caddy on each individual floor is recommended. It will save you time and energy, so you don’t always have to walk up to the third floor every time you need to change your baby.

Some people like to have one caddy with a handle, which they transport between floors as they move about the house (personally, this sounds annoying since you already have your baby to carry, and it’s common to forget it). So a caddy on each floor is an easy solution for many moms.

(I dream of the day when we finally live in a real house where multiple caddies are justified hah! 😍)

Many people like to have a diaper caddy stashed in their car. Doing so ensures plenty of extra supplies if necessary and gives the option to decrease the amount of stuff carried in a diaper bag.

Now, here’s what I have in mine.

This post is all about diaper caddy essentials.

Diaper Caddy Essentials

First you need a diaper caddy, and by “diaper caddy”, I just mean anything you want to use. You can use a basket, some sort of bag, bin, cart. Heck, you could use a cardboard box!

My mother-in-law gifted us a cart with three levels, and then I just used an extra basket that I had lying around for the car caddy. The basket I use doesn’t have built-in compartments, which most moms find helpful for organizing.

Find something at home, buy something new, or DIY your own. Just be sure to organize it in a way that makes sense to you, so you are able to find whatever you need, whenever you need it.

These take up half of the space in my diaper caddy! You will need them.

This is an obvious one.

Just something to change your baby on. I already have a changing pad in my diaper bag, so I keep a blanket in the caddy, just to spice things up.

Don’t let their little baby bum get irritated! Some ointments might melt in a car diaper caddy, so play around with them. A spray might be a better option.

For you to use before and after a baby change. Opt for hand washing if you have access to a sink, but hand sanitizer is better than nothing!

Sometimes clothes get tainted by… well, you know, all that fun-baby-slobber-spit-up-poop-stuff. Keep a change nearby.

Dog poo bags are handy for diapers or soiled clothes while you are out and about. While at home, a garbage can is more practical to keep close.

Newborn diapers don’t smell bad, so I just threw them in our regular garbage. As my baby transitioned to solids, we transitioned to this odor control garbage can.

MENTAL NOTE: Take the time to restock the essentials as you run out of them. Make sure to trade out any items that no longer fit your baby’s needs as they grow and hit new milestones. Be sure to continually replace diapers and clothes with the correct size for your baby.

The Sometimes Items

These are some items that you can totally include in your caddy if you would like to. Let’s be honest, you can put whatever you want in a diaper caddy. The supplies I listed above are what I believe to be the essentials every. time. you change a diaper. Everything below are things you may or may not need, aka, The Sometimes Items.

Something that works well on your skin and on baby’s skin. Especially as the weather changes, skin gets dry and baby skin is very sensitive. Look for any spots on your baby that rub or look sore, and apply some good lotion.

If your baby spits up a lot, you might like having extra burp rags laying around designated areas.

Some moms and babies can’t survive without the binky. Having extras around as easy access can be crucial for a day of baby success, helping to soothe and comfort baby during awkward and cold diaper changes.

Just something to keep your hair back, while you change your baby, feed your baby, or just need to get down to business!

And if you are anything like me, I kiss my baby a lot during diaper changes, getting close to his face and talking to him, being the silly mom that I am. But he’s now at an age where he’ll grab anything and YANK! So watch the hair, because their fists will be full of it!

These aren’t necessary when you have a newborn, but they are helpful as your baby gets to be four months of age and older. This is when they start to grab things, and they will eventually get soooo wiggly. A toy is a good distraction while you are trying to change their diaper.

Sometimes I forget to trim my baby’s fingernails, and I am reminded about it when I’m out having to breastfeed. Babies scratch and pinch you! I can’t tell you how many marks my little boy has left on my skin. They also scratch their own face!

If your baby gets sick (especially on the road) and needs their airway cleared quickly, this is something to think about.

Now your diaper caddy is ready to go! Place them in the rooms of your home that you spend the most time in, and/or put one in the car. I bet you’ll use and love them!

This post was all about diaper caddy essentials.

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